Rating: 
Summary: History for dummies
Review: Author Matthews has an "All-American" view of our collective
history, and he does a nice job of highlighting some of the
things that have specifically shaped him into a particular
"all-American" character himself.
He touches briefly on some of our cultural heroes, and since
they are all worthy of review, his thoughts on them are
worth reading. It seems a bit odd that he puts such emphasis
on movies and their heroes, but those movies have no doubt
influenced his view of America, just as other factors have
shaped our own view.
The author hits only the high points of a rather odd mixture
of historic figures, but they are all worth reviewing, and
he gives the reader some positive thoughts to consider, and
it is a nice review of a few American leaders who have influenced our collective thinking about exactly what a "real"
American is.
Given the author's experience and education, this book has a
rather "light" feel to it, and it is rather easy to get through
it quickly, but his points are nonetheless valid. Many factors
make up a true American, and they come from a great variety of
sources during the last 300 years, and we still credit a lot
of our qualities to our forebearers, both real and fictional.
An interesting read.
Rating: 
Summary: With Pride and Prejudice
Review: Chris Matthews' new book, American - Beyond our Grandest Notions, is a gem. It's a quick read, and for that reason alone may appeal to students, parents who want be able to explain to their kids why America is truly the land of the free and home of the brave and perhaps most importantly - this book will give boomers and seniors a much needed booster shot of pride in this nation.The prejudice comes in because it frankly and without pretense champions the citizens of the USA. Not a bad combination in today's world where it is fashionable to take the pseudo-intellectual position of seeing the rest of the peoples of the earth as victims of Americans and beating their chests with feigned mea-culpas. We've had decades of post-modern, deconstructionist cynicism. It is entirely appropriate at this time in our history to remind ourselves that Americans have some unique qualities and why this is so. The 10 people Matthews chose to demonstrate these characteristics come from nearly 250 years in our past to the present. Want to have some damned good, honest responses to share with the next boor who whines about the demise of your homeland? Treat yourself and people you care about to a copy of American.
Rating: 
Summary: An Interesting Read
Review: Despite Chris Mathews political stance as a moderate Democrat, this book is a good read for all Americans, no matter your political tendencies. He describes in 10 notions American's privaledge to live in a country of such opportunity. A short read, but one that truly breaks down why America continues to thrive.
Rating: 
Summary: Skip the book, get the audio
Review: I enjoyed hearing Matthews on the G. Gordon Liddy show discuss this book so much that I bought it. Well, I read Stephen Ambrose's final book just before this one and found Matthews' somewhat lacking. The two books are essentially the same in their goals, short essays on important highlights in American History. Some of the same topics are covered in both books. Ambrose just did a MUCH BETTER job. Ambrose was a skilled writer and Historian by trade, Matthews is a gifted gabber. So my suggestion is to listen to Matthews on Audio, but buy Ambrose's "To America: Personal Reflections of An Historian".
Rating:
Summary: pretty much a long junior high essay
Review: I usually don't write reviews, and I am not much of a reader myself, but I am greatly disappointed in this book. First, the book has the style of a high school paper. The book has a lot of stories of individuals who kind fit the author's thesis, but no big picture analysis of America. In the end this book says nothing. The only reason why this book is so popular is because it says everything we want to hear. It has the author's main points of "some basic-and sometimes contradictory-precepts, are pugnacious but anti-militaristic; they admire gun-slinging loners and heroic men of action, but love the little guy and underdogs; they are optimists with a manifest destiny and an eye for personal reinvention." The book describes some Americans who were optimists. But there are equally important Americans, like Alexander Hamilton, who are not optimists. The book also claims that America loves the underdog. Why are the Yankees so popular then? Or that we are reluctant to go to war. Iraq, Spanish American War, War of 1812??? There are a lot of reasons why America is such a dominate power. In my opinion, the reasons why America has dominates is because we have a lot of natural resources, a lot of freedom that allows us to go from rags to riches, massive immigration, and a lot of luck. Rome lasted for over a millennium. America has barely lasted two centuries, and our dominance is more recent that that. I love this country; let's just keep things in prospective.
Rating:
Summary: pretty much a long junior high essay
Review: If you enjoy politics, American history, and movies, check out this read. What makes America great? Chris Matthews tells us. From the infinitely sagacious leadership of George Washington to the tantalizing, yet almost palpable, American dream symbolized by Jay Gatsby to the idealistic moral indignation of Jefferson Smith, Matthews smoothly runs the gamut of the great American landscape. Matthews exalts such seemingly common men as Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Harry Truman who exhibited, in what was no accident, truly uncommon leadership. Lincoln was said to have rebuked those who complained of Grant's heavy alcohol consumption. Find out what he drinks and give it to the other generals, the president told them. "I can't spare this man. He fights." Truman, sworn in to office as Vice President just 3 months prior to assuming the Presidency, was, as Matthews states, "a regular fellow who just as easily could be standing behind the counter when you went to buy a new pair of socks," became an extraordinary leader in a time of extraordinary crisis. Truman, along with Lincoln, had the guts to do what he thought was right. In using the atom bomb to end WWII Truman, in effect, avoided a million American casualties in an ensuing invasion. The result was a dismal 23% approval rating when he left office. As Matthews so aptly states, "Tough decisions don't always make friends." History, however, would be a better judge; Truman now is rightfully revered as one of the greatest Presidents of the 20th century. Matthews, being intellectually honest, honors the maverick leadership of John McCain and the eternal optimism of Ronald Reagan as well. Overall, a fun and stimulating read that I recommend you check out.
Rating:
Summary: A fun and insightful read
Review: If you enjoy politics, American history, and movies, check out this read. What makes America great? Chris Matthews tells us. From the infinitely sagacious leadership of George Washington to the tantalizing, yet almost palpable, American dream symbolized by Jay Gatsby to the idealistic moral indignation of Jefferson Smith, Matthews smoothly runs the gamut of the great American landscape. Matthews exalts such seemingly common men as Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Harry Truman who exhibited, in what was no accident, truly uncommon leadership. Lincoln was said to have rebuked those who complained of Grant's heavy alcohol consumption. Find out what he drinks and give it to the other generals, the president told them. "I can't spare this man. He fights." Truman, sworn in to office as Vice President just 3 months prior to assuming the Presidency, was, as Matthews states, "a regular fellow who just as easily could be standing behind the counter when you went to buy a new pair of socks," became an extraordinary leader in a time of extraordinary crisis. Truman, along with Lincoln, had the guts to do what he thought was right. In using the atom bomb to end WWII Truman, in effect, avoided a million American casualties in an ensuing invasion. The result was a dismal 23% approval rating when he left office. As Matthews so aptly states, "Tough decisions don't always make friends." History, however, would be a better judge; Truman now is rightfully revered as one of the greatest Presidents of the 20th century. Matthews, being intellectually honest, honors the maverick leadership of John McCain and the eternal optimism of Ronald Reagan as well. Overall, a fun and stimulating read that I recommend you check out.
Rating:
Summary: The audio version does not disappoint
Review: Okay, so what makes the audio version of a book better than the bound version? Why, the reader, of course! How about if the reader is the guy who actually wrote the book? Even better, right? Suppose the guy has a highly rated show on MSNBC? Hmmm...intriguing. If you're a Hardball fan, you've come to expect a certain delivery from its mildly quirky host, Chris Matthews. Here we have a gathering of Matthews' favorite moments in American history. They may not necessarily be your favorite moments, but who cares? It's just fun listening. Matthews succeeds in bringing historical perspective and American attitude to what he considers to be important moments in cinema, politics, and events, which have shaped our country and its development. He could have continued with the idea, and possibly have written ten times the volume of work, but he kept it short and sweet. Here's the beauty of the concept. Sequels, sequels, and more sequels. Matthews has left the idea wide open for endless opportunities to add to the collection. I for one will be there to purchase every audio CD version as it becomes available. When you listen to Matthews reading his own stuff, you can occasionally catch a glimpse of the emotion he wants you to feel. Probably the same emotion intended during the writing process. He tried to keep it subdued, and during the first disk he appeared to consciously keep it under the speed limit. But with everything he does the intensity level creeps up on you, and he takes it up a notch. You really can't help but get into it. Why is Chris Matthews so successful, well respected, and yes feared by certain political and media figures? Because they don't take the time to research what his passions are before they appear on his show. My advice to guys like Kerry, Dean, and Gephardt is simple. Read or listen to Matthews' book before going on Hardball. If you're not good at thinking on your feet or taking the control away from the host (good luck), then you run the risk of being eaten alive like one Dennis Kucinich. Now the guy won't even appear on Matthews' series of shows from the Kennedy School of Government. Have a nice life, Dennis. If you're a guy like Joe Biden, however, who happens to be one of the guys that Matthews can't seem to touch, then you don't need the prep. Kerry should have read this book. I'm typing this before the Howard Dean show. Can't wait for the fireworks. They really need to let Chris moderate one of these debates. Wouldn't that be fun? One day MSNBC will smarten up and put Matthews up against O'Reilly. Anyway, you won't be disappointed with the book in any version unless you can't stand the guy. But if you're not a fan of his stuff then what are you doing even reading this review? I'm not trying to be a Chris Matthews suck up, or maybe I am, but I happen to like the guy. His idealistic albeit liberal approach reflects true patriotism. It is not only patriotic to question one's government, but it is every American's duty and responsibility.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: This is a delightful read and has a lot of very interesting information about some well known American icons. The writing style is smooth and fluid and if you are a serious reader you can probably get through it in a day or two. You will, however, want to re-read many sections over and over again. Every time I read a chapter I would find myself running to tell my wife some interesting detail or factoid.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Is the Reason Why The World Hates Us...
Review: Unbeknownst to Chris Matthews, it is possible to love America and yet criticize the horrendous contradictions that America represents. The greatest democracy held blacks in chattel slavery. The country that is "slow to fight" sure didn't demonstrate that when fighting Mexicans in the Mexican American War or even Vietnam. And someone needs to tell Chris that Hollywood is MAKE BELIEVE, I resent this book because it is intellectually dishonest. It is jingoistic, xenophobic, and cloaks itself in empty patriotism. And I think it was Mark Twain that said it best: Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Mark Twain was right and this book proves it.
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